August 31, 2006

Making another good step, Independent distributor THINKFilm has successfully picked up all North American distribution rights to "The TV Set", one of the most talked-about films at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

"Amazing Grace" finally can make its way to U.S theaters. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Independent distributors Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions have secured the U.S distribution rights to this slave trade-drama of Michael Apted's direction. Both companies are set to release the film on February 23 next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the British parliament's vote to abolish the slave trade.

This summer really belongs to Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Fantastically collecting $407.5 million on domestic box office up to Sunday, August 27, the company's seafaring sequel has come out as the top moneymaker of this beach season according to stats released Tuesday, August 29 by the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

Following the footstep of fellow famous figure Eminem, who has just signed deal with Nike to design a range of trainers, Jennifer Aniston also is on the verge of signing a deal with the sportswear giant.

The US album charts for the week ended Sunday August 27th saw the prominence of the MTV-constructed band, Danity Kane, as the music act topped the top spot with their album "Danity Kane" sold 234,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. In the meantime, OutKast's "Idlewild" opened at No. 2 with the LaFace release sold 196,000 units.

A sepia-tinted throwback to 1940s Hollywood, "The Black Dahlia" finally encountered its world premiere as it opened the 63rd Venice International Film Festival yesterday, August 30, 2006. One of the contenders for the Golden Lion, the movie thus became the first U.S film feature to be screened at this year's event, preceding its fellow Hollywood competitors consisting of "The Fountain", "Hollywoodland", and "Bobby."

Numbers of musicians were included in the nominations list of the 40th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards announced Wednesday August 30th. But among the many nominees, country crooner Brooks & Dunn and Brad Paisley emerged as the leaders with six nominations each.

American performing right organization BMI has bestowed honors to some household names in music like Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Babyface, and L.A. Reid at its 6th annual Urban Awards held on August 30, 2006 in New York City.

Two-time Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank has reportedly found new love again with top Hollywood agent John Campisi shortly after she announced her separation from husband Chad Lowe in January and their divorce in May earlier this year.

Despite the fact that Nicole Kidman being reported pregnant with her first child ever with her singer husband Keith Urban, there were speculation on the Aussie actress' photos being manipulated by photo agencies to make her look pregnant.

Paris Hilton should feel proud that Mayor of Las Vegas has proclaimed August 29, 2006 as Paris Hilton Day. And celebrating the big day, the socialite was given the key to the city before then was introduced in front of a packed crowd at a Vegas block party by comedian Jeff Beacher.